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Trying to Be Cool
Phoenix Lyrics


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City and desert coexist
Depending on the things you're wearing
Wildlife binoculars
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you want me

They teach you suffer to resist
Too much intention Presbyterian
Mint julep testosterone
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you want me

Cool, I'm just trying to be cool
It's all because of you
Some fanatic attitude
We're both on

Open for business says it all
You can't go wrong
Is innocent too immature where you're from?
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you want it all

Two dozen pink and white ranunculus
Why, what are the problems to solve?
To part-time holy bachelors
Tell them that you want me
Tell them that you want me

Cool, I'm just trying to be cool
It's all because of you
Some fanatic attitude
We're both on

Open for business says it all
You can't go wrong
Compliments sound too cynical where you're from
Tell me that you want me
Tell me what they want is

Gruesome, I don't care where you're from
Nothing's that personal
There is no physical evidence of cannibal boyfriends

Overall Meaning

In Phoenix's song Trying to Be Cool, the lyrics suggest that two very different worlds - the city and the desert - can coexist. The message conveyed in the lyrics is that you can be whoever you want to be and still be accepted, as long as you are true to yourself. The first verse refers to the idea that the way you dress can determine the environment that you fit into. If you're wearing urban clothing, the city will be your home, and if you're dressed for the desert, you will belong there. The next few lines seem to be a plea for validation and attention, a request to be wanted by another person, which could be interpreted as finding someone who accepts you, no matter where you come from or how you dress.


The next verse discusses how society teaches us to resist pain and suffering, but also how too much intention can be a negative thing. The lyrics reference "mint julep testosterone," which could represent toxic masculinity or the pressure to conform to a particular gender role. Again, the plea for validation appears, with the repeated request for someone to "tell me that you want me." The chorus repeats the phrase "cool, I'm just trying to be cool," which could be viewed as a way to mask vulnerability and insecurity, as if trying to put up a front of being cool and collected.


Overall, the song seems to explore themes of self-expression, the search for acceptance, and the pressure to conform to societal norms.


Line by Line Meaning

City and desert coexist
Urban and natural environments can exist side by side


Depending on the things you're wearing
Your appearance may determine how you are perceived


Wildlife binoculars
Observing from a distance, but intimately


Tell me that you want me
Express your desire for me


They teach you suffer to resist
Society teaches you to suppress your emotions and struggle alone


Too much intention Presbyterian
Being overly strict and pious in your beliefs


Mint julep testosterone
A blend of southern sophistication and masculinity


Cool, I'm just trying to be cool
I'm striving to appear calm and collected


It's all because of you
You inspire me to be this way


Some fanatic attitude
I have an intense enthusiasm for something


We're both on
We share a similar mindset


Open for business says it all
I'm available and looking for a connection


You can't go wrong
You can't make a mistake with me


Is innocent too immature where you're from?
Is being naive not acceptable in your culture?


Tell me that you want it all
Express your desire for everything I have to offer


Two dozen pink and white ranunculus
A bouquet of beautiful flowers


Why, what are the problems to solve?
What issues do we need to resolve?


To part-time holy bachelors
To men who are committed to religious life only part-time


Gruesome, I don't care where you're from
I'm not disturbed by your origin or background


Nothing's that personal
There's no need to take anything too seriously


There is no physical evidence of cannibal boyfriends
This line appears to mean nothing and is nonsensical.


Compliments sound too cynical where you're from
Praise may be viewed skeptically in your culture


Tell me what they want is
Let me know what they desire




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTIAN MAZZALAI, FREDERIC MOULIN, LAURENT MAZZALAI, ROBERT KELLY, THOMAS CROQUET

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@bryanyuriveravizarreta1118

Alternative version

City and desert coexist
Depending on the things you're wearing
Wildlife binoculars
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you want me

They teach you suffer to resist
Too much intention Presbyterian
Mint julep testosterone
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you want me

Cool
I'm just trying to be cool
It's all because of you
Some fanatic attitude
We're both on

Open for business says it all
You can't go wrong
Is Innocence too Immature where you're from?
Tell me that you want me
Tell me that you want it all

Two dozen pink and white ranunculus
Why, what are the problems to solve?
To part-time holy bachelors
Tell them that you want me
Tell them that you want me

Cool
I'm just trying to be cool
It's all because of you
Some fanatic attitude
We're both on

Open for business says it all
You can't go wrong
Compliments sound too cynical where you're from?
Tell me that you want me
Tell me what they want is

Gruesome
I don't care where you're from
Nothing's that personal
There is no physical evidence of cannibal boyfriends

ALTERNATIVE VERSION:
How I wish I knew 
How I wish I knew you from before
'Till I die, 'till I die 
'Till I die
Burn the avenues, until the city unfolds
Do we have to know
Do we have to know what truth is?
How I wish I knew 
How I wish I knew you from before
'Till I die, 'till I die 
'Till I die, 'till I die
I'm just too glad to say no, just too glad to say no
No, no, no, no



All comments from YouTube:

@kafka9204

I freaking hate that this version isn’t on Spotify

@damnson2207

yeah its supreme

@gamerspot11

I agree. The guitar sounds so much better in this version.

@droydful

Basically is Trying to be Cool mixed with Drakkar Noir

@yagosantos2658

The ending is a part of Drakkar Noir

@marty13612

​@@droydfulyeah but the mix is much better IMO, especially the little guitar solo/fill after the second verse

@10amSanta

I feel like this song should play every time I put on sunglasses.

@tkrinkaku

10amSanta mood

@theshepherdsdog

Ur Daily Weirdø yessss

@GuadalupeLuna

Play it for your self cause no matter what cool is cool and as long as you feel it why not look it. 😎😊

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